This paper deals with the adsorption of mono-, di- and trimethylamine (MMA, DMA and TMA) on carbon materials at zero surface coverage studied by inverse gas-solid chromatography (IGSC). The adsorbents have different textural characteristics and chemical surface groups, as revealed by N-2 and CO2 adsorption, mercury porosimetry, FTIR spectroscopy and selective tritrations. These properties are related to the type of interactions of the adsorbates. MMA is adsorbed almost totally by specific interactions, and this type of force is weaker in DMA and TMA, following the same trend as the dipolar moment of the adsorbates. There is evidence to support a dipole-dipole type adsorbate-adsorbent interaction instead of an acid-base one.